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“And who might you be that the great Gramlick would sendyou in his stead?” Mandrean inquired.“I am General Tathbar, my lord. I am his number two…hissecond.”“I am familiar with the concept of a number two, Tathbar. Youare insolent as I recall, but Gramlick must see something in you.So go ahead, give me the report for the Western province.”Tathbar swallowed hard and spoke at first with a high-pitchedvoice. “Economically, there have been two years in a row of poorharvests. With the Empire counting so heavily on this region forfood as well as taxes, there has been a deficit in food productionand money.“The farmers are being hurt and desperately need help insubsidies. What’s more, areas of marginal soil, which were farmedevery other year, have been pressed into service. The result is soildepletion and low yields. Our analysts estimate that those landsneed to lie fallow for a minimum of two years with subsides paidto the farmers to assure the land is left to regenerate.”Though the statement was dry, Mandrean managed to siftthrough it and find the implications. “So you’re suggesting that Ishould pay more money to the farmers who are producing less sothat they don’t have to work as hard?”Tathbar held up one palm and said, “I think you fail to see thebigger picture here, Sire…”Mandrean began to rage. “I fail nothing. You tell those lazypeasants that they not only need their normal contribution thisseason but must also pay what they were short from last year.Their excuses will not be tolerated.”“With all due respect, My Lord, no order can increase harvests.They produce all they can, but they can only reap what the landgrows. The price of flour is rising and looks to go higher. Onlydrastic action will avoid starvation and migration to the territory.”Economics were, in large part, lost on Mandrean. He had noskill or interest in the field. His rationalizations on the subject wereoften crude and harsh. Even with that being the case, he wasprudent enough to seek council.“What sort of action do you suggest?” the emperor inquired asthoughts of peasant rebellions flashed through his mind.Tathbar knew his answer would not be liked by his master andstuttered as he gave it. “Well…we have found…a large grainreserve in the region that could be dispersed to alleviate thesituation. Prices would stabilize and the relatively higher priceswould enable tax payments and field rotation by the farmers.”Mandrean listened to what sounded like the perfect solution andsmiled until his skeptical side began to ponder. “And what is thisreserve you speak of?”Tathbar paused and then responded quickly, “The stores theLegions have amassed over the last few years for the invasion ofRomadon.”“Out of the question,” Mandrean fired. “Our forces will needthose supplies for the prolonged offensive.”“My lord, there is no way to invade any time soon. In the lasttwo years, our legions have been depleted by nearly two divisions.We are in no condition to attack anyone. The grain disbursementwould only make use of resources being unused. In two years wecould be in a position to attack but not now.”Mandrean was seething. “Two years? What kind of general doyou fashion yourself? And why have you allowed my armies toerode? Gramlick would never allow this.”“Sire, we have been hit hard by desertions. Morale is poor, andit is due in large part to the terrible defeat in the Valley of BrokenSoldiers. We lost over a division there from my province alone.”“Valley of Broken Soldiers? That area is called Trader’s Alley.”“The men, Sire. They renamed it after our defeat at the hands ofLinvin Grithinshield.”Mandrean jumped to his feet. His anger blocked the pain itcaused. “Guards.” Four guards surrounded the general and beganto whip him. The once crisp uniform was quickly torn apart andsoaked in blood. He covered his face, but there was no salvationfor the rest of his body.Once the screams were loud enough and everyone hadwitnessed the example, Mandrean waved off the tormenters. He satback into his throne and addressed the crowd.“For those of you who may have forgotten, that name will notbe spoken in my presence by anyone.” Silence followed. “Returnthis general to his quarters until he is prepared to apologize.” Twoguards dragged the general away.